Nigel Pearson spent the last quarter of this match pushing his team on from his technical area, clapping, cajoling, instructing.

He has experienced a great escape at the Hawthorns before, in 2005 as assistant to Bryan Robson. Beyond 90 minutes, Jamie Vardy scored a goal that gave an exhilarating indication another improbable story could yet be told.

Leicester secured their second consecutive Premier League win to bring safety into view for the first time in a long time. Pearson’s side are still bottom, but now just three points behind Hull in 17th. With seven games to go, five at home, they are still very much in this fight.

Huth put his side back on level terms (pictured) before Vardy's winner - click HERE to see more of our brilliant Match Zone

Vardy personifies that more than anyone. In the first minute of added time he bullied Gareth McAuley to gain possession by the halfway line and advanced on goal. Joleon Lescott was unable to halt him and in a flash the ball was in the net.

Pearson turned to his bench and held both arms aloft. He had switched to three at the back at the interval and made all his substitutions with half an hour to go, and been vindicated.

Trailing 2-1, Leicester had equalised in the 80th minute when Marc Albrighton delivered a cross that reached David Nugent at the far post. He hooked the ball back, Marcin Wasilewski won the header and Robert Huth nodded beyond Craig Dawson on the line.

This was a second consecutive home loss to a team in trouble for West Brom, following the 4-1 defeat to Queens Park Rangers.

West Brom midfielder Craig Gardner celebrates after scoring during his side's 3-2 defeat against the Premier League's bottom side

Gardner slides on his knees after putting his side back in the lead during the first half of the Premier League match at The Hawthorns

EA SPORTS DISTANCE STATS

MINS

KM

MILES

West Brom

115.0

71.4

Darren Fletcher

90

11.4

7.1

Craig Dawson

90

11.2

7.0

Claudio Yacob

90

11.2

7.0

Leicester City

110.0

68.4

Marc Albrighton

90

11.5

7.2

David Nugent

90

11.1

6.9

Jamie Vardy

90

10.7

6.7

It had all begun so brightly for the hosts on a day to honour their late, great striker Jeff Astle, scorer of the winning goal in the 1968 FA Cup. West Brom looked resplendent in their replica kits from that year, numbered one to 11.

Darren Fletcher paid a fitting tribute with a very good glancing header to Chris Brunt’s corner. Goal-line technology was required to confirm the goal after Esteban Cambiasso cleared. It was Fletcher’s first goal since scoring for Manchester United in November 2012.

Leicester equalised in the 20th minute. Cambiasso took a long free-kick that Leonardo Ulloa flicked forward for Nugent to stroke in a composed finish.

West Brom went ahead again six minutes later when Craig Gardner’s volley deflected off Wes Morgan into the net. But Leicester struck back impressively and, from nowhere, have genuine hope of survival.

‘You never want to come off the field with regrets,’ said Pearson. ‘If we can maximise that home advantage we have a chance. I don’t think at any point this season [the] players doubted themselves.’

West Brom are not yet safe and face a frightening run-in. ‘The first goal is lower-league stuff,’ said Pulis. ‘The third goal, Gareth’s trying to play like a right winger. You can’t do that at this level.’

Robert Huth nodded home with 10 minutes left on the clock to help his side launch an emphatic comeback against West Brom

The Leicester defender, who joined the club in February, is congratulated by his team-mates after making it 2-2 with 10 minutes to go

Leicester goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel celebrates his side's victory after the final whistle of the Premier League clash

West Brom paid tribute to Jeff Astle on 'Astle Day', the former Baggies striker at the age of 59 in 2002 due

Baggies striker Saido Berahino wore Astle's No 9 shirt during the Premier League match at The Hawthorns

West Brom players take to the pitch in a Astle commemorative kit ahead of their Premier League showdown with Leicester

West Brom fans display an 'Astle' banner during the ninth minute to represent the shirt number he wore at The Hawthorns